Mazda To Roll Out i-ELOOP Capacitor Regenerative Braking System In 2012

Earlier this year at the Cleantech Forum in San Francisco, when speculating as to the next game-changing
EV technology, Tesla CEO
Elon Musksaid, "If I were to make a prediction, I'd think there's a good chance that it is not batteries, but super-capacitors." If that was a giveaway to what
Tesla has coming down the road, then it looks like
Mazda may have beat them to the punch. Or, at least taken a step in that direction.
The capacitor-based system, which Mazda calls "i-ELOOP", will give future Mazdas the ability to recover energy normally lost during braking, also known as regenerative braking or simply regen. Regen is equipped on most every
hybrid and EV currently on the market, but these cars also come with large, expensive and life-limited batteries. Mazda's approach is smaller, cheaper and more durable.

When using a capacitor, instead of a battery, energy can be recuperated and outputted at a much higher rate. The i-ELOOP system can be fully charged and depleted within seconds--perfect for stop-and-go driving, where we typically waste the most fuel. Mazda says this system will raise
fuel economy numbers around 10% in heavy stop-and-go scenarios.

The energy won't be used to assist in acceleration like the Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid, instead it will go to power climate, audio and other energy-drawing systems. This essentially allows for less gas to be burned during coasting and braking.

Mazda says this tech is right around the corner and to expect it in 2012 as a part of their Skyactiv technology enhancements, which promise to maximize the efficiency of traditional internal combustion engines (ICE).

Mazda Motor Corporation has developed the world's first passenger vehicle regenerative braking system that uses a capacitor. The groundbreaking system, which Mazda calls 'i-ELOOP', will begin to appear in Mazda's vehicles in 2012. In real-world driving conditions with frequent acceleration and braking, 'i- ELOOP' improves fuel economy by approximately 10 percent.

Mazda's regenerative braking system is unique because it uses a capacitor, which is an electrical component that temporarily stores large volumes of electricity. Compared to batteries, capacitors can be charged and discharged rapidly and are resistant to deterioration through prolonged use. 'i-ELOOP' efficiently converts the vehicle's kinetic energy into electricity as it decelerates, and uses the electricity to power the climate control, audio system and numerous other electrical components.

Regenerative braking systems are growing in popularity as a fuel saving technology. They use an electric motor or alternator to generate electricity as the vehicle decelerates, thereby recovering a portion of the vehicle's kinetic energy. Regenerative braking systems in hybrid vehicles generally use a large electric motor and dedicated battery.

Mazda examined automobile accelerating and decelerating mechanisms, and developed a highly efficient regenerative braking system that rapidly recovers a large amount of electricity every time the vehicle decelerates. Unlike hybrids, Mazda's system also avoids the need for a dedicated electric motor and battery.

'i-ELOOP' features a new 12-25V variable voltage alternator, a low-resistance electric double layer capacitor and a DC/DC converter. 'i-ELOOP' starts to recover kinetic energy the moment the driver lifts off the accelerator pedal and the vehicle begins to decelerate. The variable voltage alternator generates electricity at up to 25V for maximum efficiency before sending it to the Electric Double Layer Capacitor (EDLC) for storage. The capacitor, which has been specially developed for use in a vehicle, can be fully charged in seconds. The DC/DC converter steps down the electricity from 25V to 12V before it is distributed directly to the vehicle's electrical components. The system also charges the vehicle battery as necessary. 'i-ELOOP' operates whenever the vehicle decelerates, reducing the need for the engine to burn extra fuel to generate electricity. As a result, in "stop-and-go" driving conditions, fuel economy improves by approximately 10 percent.

The name 'i-ELOOP' is an adaptation of "Intelligent Energy Loop" and represents Mazda's intention to efficiently cycle energy in an intelligent way.

'i-ELOOP' also works in conjunction with Mazda's unique 'i-stop' idling stop technology to extend the period that the engine can be shut off.

Mazda is working to maximize the efficiency of internal combustion engine vehicles with its groundbreaking SKYACTIV TECHNOLOGY. By combining this with i-stop, i-ELOOP and other electric devices that enhance fuel economy by eliminating unnecessary fuel consumption, Mazda is striving to deliver vehicles with excellent environmental performance as well as a Zoom-Zoom ride to all its customers.

At the 42nd Tokyo Motor Show, Mazda will debut the i-ELOOP system in the TAKERI concept car, a next generation mid-sized sedan that features SKYACTIV TECHNOLOGY and KODO – Soul of Motion design theme.

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